By Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron
NJ Today
Last spring Gov. Chris Christie and Camden Mayor Dana Redd — who met with students at an elementary school on the south side of Camden today — agreed on a state takeover of all city schools, so the governor has something invested in success there.
“The improvements that are gonna happen to your schools for you and for everybody in the school system couldn’t have happened without the mayor and I agreeing this was something that really needed to be done,” Christie said. “We needed to be partners together and we are. And so I thank her for believing in the fact that you deserve a better future than the one you were being given.”
One block away from the school, boarded up homes. But the mayor sees progress.
“I certainly feel very, very encouraged and energetic about what we are seeing as transformational change in our public school system here in the city of Camden,” Redd said.
With them was Christie’s choice to be the new state superintendent — Paymon Rouhanifard — in his second week on the job.
“And saw five schools yesterday, four schools this morning, and what I saw was really encouraging,” Rouhanifard said.
On a day when Barbara Buono was scheduled to lay our an urban revitalization plan, the governor demonstrated his own interest in inner city matters, his second visit to a Camden school in three weeks.
“And as for me, I love this city and I believe that the families in this city deserve better than what’s happening right now, so we’re gonna work hard together to get there,” Christie said.
The takeover of the schools follows on the creation of a new county police force for Camden, supported by Christie.
Camden votes Democratic, and both of its Assembly representatives were at the school today.
When asked if he agrees that Christie seems to be making an effort to connect with Camden, Assemblyman Whip Wilson said, “Yes I would. I think that the governor needs to show he’s an all-around person, meaning urban and suburban areas. Now he’s been doing that here in Camden city.”
The only questions the governor took were from the kids.
“The next question was, ‘Do I live far away?’ I live about an hour and a half from here. Is that far away? ‘What’s my address?’ What are you gonna do? Come up and visit me?” Christie asked.
His favorite book, by the way, is The Great Gatsby and his favorite movie?
“My favorite movie is probably The Godfather. That’s a more important answer for the legislators than it is for you,” Christie said.
The Republican governor and the Democratic mayor have worked closely this year.